Clutch



B. L. MYERS June 8, 193 7.

CLUTCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22, `1935 ...irrt lhfl.. PIE.

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June 8, 1937. B. L. MYERS CLUTCH Filed June 22, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Eer/zar@ LM t962/15,

Patented June 8, 1937 UNITED STATES CLUTCH Bernard L. Myers, Mishawaka,ll'lnd., assignor to Dodge Manufacturing Corporation, Misha'waka, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application June 22, 1935, Serial No. 27,955

3 Claims.

This invention pertains to clutches and more particularly to the mounting of the same on shafts, the purpose of the invention being to enable the mounting of a clutch upon shafts of different diameters, thereby obviating the -necessity of carrying in stock an` individual clutch for each different shaft diameter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, referring to which:

Fig. 1 is a diametral sectional view of a mounted clutch embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, fragmentary inl character, showing the clutch in released position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an adapter sleeve andthe locking splines;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1; and

. Fig. 5 is a similar view on the line of disposed composition friction blocks I and 6- projecting beyond each face of the disc. Co-

operating with the driven me /ber is a driving member comprising a pair of driving elements 9 and I I disposed parallel with and on opposite sides of the disc 6 and adapted for relative movement toward and from each other to effect a clamping engagement with the composition blocksfor driving the drivernember or 4to be freed from said blocks to release the clutch.

It should be understood that this particular structure of driving. and driven members is illustrative merely and that the driven member may member to be driven may be attached in a suitable manner is rotated. 1t should also be obvious that the power may be applied to the disc 6 and transmitted therefrom to the discs 9 and II which in that instance become the driven rather than the driving members.

(cl. isz-ss) The disc element 9 is carried upon an elongated hub I2 preferably formed integrally therewith, and the disc 6 connected with the member to be driven is rotatable freely about the hub, while the disc Il is axially movable toward and from ,the disc 9 but is secured thereto to rotate therewith, as will be now described.

A carrier I 3 is splined to the hub I2, as indicated at Il, so as to rotate with the hub but be capable of axial sliding movement thereon. This carrier fits within the hub I5 of the disc- II and axial adjustment of the disc relatively to the carrier is effected by an adjusting ring I6 threaded onto the outer end ofthe carrier and abutting the outerl face of the hub I5. Driving connection between the carrier and the disc II is 'established by a series of studs or :pins I1 anchored in the carrier and extending through suitable openings in the disc II, these studs also serving as guides for coiled expansion springs I8 interposedmetween the discs 9 andul I to normally urge said discs apart into inoperative relation with respect to the driven disc 6.

I'he discs 9 and I I are forced together into clamping relation with the disc 6 and against the force ofthe springs I8 by suitable toggle' mechanism comprising three sets of toggles, as will be apparent from Figs. 4 and 5. Each toggle consists of a pair of spaced links I9 pivoted at one end by a pivot pin 2| to a stud 22 securely anchored in the hub I2, locking pins 23v being utilized to retain the studs against displacement. The outer ends of the links I9 are connected by Aa pin 24, upon which pin is also mounted the outer ends of a pair of short links 25 and a roller 26 interposed between .the links, as best shown in Fig. 5. The inner ends of links 25 are connected by a pin 21 to a stud or ear 28 carried by the carrier I3. An annular cam 29, preferably of cup shape as \shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is telescopically associated with the outer portion of the carrier I3 so that, by any suitable clutch throw lever connected with the yoke 3| embracing the hub 32 of the cam, adjustment of the cam' from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2, and vice versa, may be made. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, with the cam withdrawn, the springs I9 will force the discs 9- and II apart and the toggle mechanism will assume the position shown. When, however, the cam is moved to the left, into the position shown in Fig. 1,/the cam operatingV upon the rollers 26 "will straighten the toggle into the position shown disc il to the left to effect a clamping driving relation between the driving discs 9 and il and the driven disc 6.

It will be vobserved that the clutch operating mechanism is all enclosed and housed near the center of the structure thus affording maximum strength,rigidity and longevity. Furthermore, adjustment for wear may be readily eected by adjustment of thering I 6 to position the disc Il closer to the disc 9.

'I'he clutch thus far described would be suitable for mounting directly upon a clutch shaft if the bore through the clutch hub were exactly the proper size to snugly fit the shaft. Shafts supposedly of the same size are not, however, always exact in their diametral dimensions and furthermore, since these shafts run in varioussizes, the provision of a clutch for each size necessitates the carrying in stock of a large number of clutches diering from one another only in the dimensions of the hub bores.

To insure a snug f'lt and rigid connection between the clutch and its shaft, irrespective of slight variations in the shaft dimensions, and to enable a clutch of a single bore size to be mounted upon shafts of different sizes, thereby reducing the number of clutches required .to be kept in stock, my present invention contemplates the utilization of an adapter between the shaft and the clutch hub which will be capable of compensating for considerable variations in shaft size while insuring a strong and rigid connection between the shaft and the clutch hub. The adapter, designated generally by reference character' 33 and which is best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, comprises a tapered sleeve of steel or similar material split from end to end, as indicated at 34, so as to be capable of variation in diameter and provided with a series of longitudinally extending grooves 35 which contribute toward flexibility of the adapter. 'I'he hub i2 is also slightly tapered inwardly from left to right, viewing Figs. 1 and 2, and the sleeve is adapted tobe inserted between the shaft 3E andy/this hub, as shown on the drawings. ""'f//f v For the purpose of forcing the sleeve into wedging relation with the shaftl and the surrounding/f hub and to retain the sleeve in wedging position the smaller end is screw-threaded, as indicated at 31, to receive a similarly threaded-ring 38 which, when screwed onto the sleeve, abuts the end of hub I2 and draws the sleeve into wedging position so as to center and lock the hub on the shaft, the ring being thereupon held against unthreading movement by one or more bolts 39 passing through the sleeve and threaded into one of a series of tapped openings di formed in the end of the hub.

To preclude rotative movement of the clutch hub relatively to the shaft so that a rigid' drivin'g relation between the shaft and clutch is established, a spline 42 is seated in opposed kerfs formed in the inner face of the sleeve, and in the surface of the shaft respectively, thereby locking the sleeve to the shaft. Similarly 'a second spline 68 is seated in opposed kerfs formed respectively in the exterior and interior walls of the sleeve and hub, thereby locking the sleeve to the hub. In this manner the sleeve is rigidly keyed both tothe shaft and the hub so that a positive and rigid driving connection between the shaft and the clutch is established.

Should any looseness develop as the result of Wear or abuse, it may be eliminated by tightening up the ring 38. If the clutch is to be mounted upon a shaft of smaller diameter than that disclosed, a sleeve having thicker walls isvemployed. It vwill be obvious, therefore, that by carrying in stock a number of adapter sleeves of diEerent thicknesses, a clutch with a. standard hub borev may obviously be varied within considerable limits without departing from the essence of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. 'I'he combination with a shaft and a clutch member having a hub surrounding the shaft, of a tapered sleeve interposed between said shaft and hub, means comprising keys, one engaging the shaft and sleeve and the other engaging the sleeve and hub, to establish driving connection between the shaft and hub through said sleeve, and means for moving said sleeve into and retaining the same in wedging relation to said shaft and hub.

2. In a friction clutch, coaxial driving and driven members, mechanism operable for establishing driving relation between said members, a clutch hub carrying one of said membersand said mechanism, annular means in said hub operable by wedging action to grip said hub and a shaft,

adjusting means to cause said wedging action,-

the shaft and hub.

3. A friction clutchcomprising coaxial clutch members and interposed disk means to be clutched between said members, toggle mechanism connecting said members and operable to force them into coaction, a clutch hub carrying said members and toggle mechanism, an axially operable cup-shaped member telescopically associated with one of said members and having an internal cam for operating said toggle mechanism, annular means in said hub operable by wedging action to grip said hub and a shaft, and adjusting means associated with the hub and annular means for causing such wedging action, said adjusting means and toggle mechanism being enclosed by said cup-shaped member.

. BERNARD L. MYERS. 

